Wednesday, February 18, 2009

The Old Against the New



Cathedral Church of the Advent against The Financial Center/ Compass Bank

As I was walking around downtown during the marathon last weekend,  I was struck by these two examples of this beautiful old  church  pressed (visually) against the sleek, modern architecture of today.  You know my preference, what's yours? 

The Cathedral Church of the Advent against the Regions Bank Building

32 comments:

Tash said...

Excellent juxtaposition. However, I am so delighted by the old builings that your title had to point out the modern buildings. Just look at the beauty you captured there.

Anonymous said...

great architectural photos. it's great to mix the new and old so well.

Olivier said...

toujours ce beau contrasme entre l'ancien et le moderne, cela rend vraiment très bien.

always this beautiful contrasme between old and modern, it makes it really well.

Juergen Kuehn said...

Yes, you catched a great spot of life between yesterday and tomorrow.

Anonymous said...

Virginia, You make me stop and take note of what I would just walk by. Thanks for bringing it to my attention. Both amazing and beautiful but I prefer the OLD.

Pat said...

My preference is undoubtedly the same as yours. I like the juxtaposition of the two styles and the lines.

cieldequimper said...

Old and new contrasts are always striking. Good shots!

Journey2thepast said...

There's no question for me...old all the way!

Z said...

I like studying the details on old buildings, though personally I tend towards the spare. I did a few old-and-new posts on my blog some time ago and I've been meaning to get back to it. I should do it.

Your worksop in Paris sounds wonderful! Hope the preparations are coming along nicely.

D said...

I prefer the old. No comparison in the detail and craftsmanship!

Unknown said...

I love contrasting shots like these. They look fantastic!

PeterParis said...

Sometimes old and young go well together, also in architecture! (I think that the Pyramide / Louvre is a good example)!

Anonymous said...

I love the contrast especially in the second shot! Have a wonderful day!

The Country Experience said...

I too prefer the old. To see the craftsmanship and creativity that was created then. We think we are so advanced today in comparison to earlier periods, and yet they could create such designs and details. Today there are so many pieces of equipment to churn out the basics in a faster time, but we tend to lose the charm with the increased productivity levels/decreased human element.

The Country Experience said...

P.S.--I absolutely love the daffodils photo in your title heading! At my previous house I had all these different varieties of daffodils greeting me each spring and I miss them. Your picture inspires me to resolve to find a place to tuck a few bulbs this fall, regardless of what may already be where.

Rob said...

I prefer the old architecture of the church; not a big fan of new sterile glass boxes.

Halcyon said...

Le vieux, bien sur!

Virginia said...

Welcome Juergen to CDPB and BADP! If you all haven't visited his blog ( Marburg DP), you need to. Some beautiful photographs for sure.

The "old" seems to be the favorite but I agree with Peter that sometimes the old and new work well together and I too appreciate the contrast of the Pyramide with the Louvre in Paris. Thanks everyone!

Jilly said...

Fascinating mixture of old and new where one shows off the other so well.

I tried your suggestion on Menton and it worked. Not posted it but it works, as you knew it would!

Anonymous said...

So how did they carve those designs anyhow. A mold, I suppose? Detail work that probably only one in a thousand people ever notice. The new building looks like a flag behind the old one.

Virginia said...

For all you photo junkies out there I'll share this. I have photographed this particular church probably 5 times before. Saturday I was about 1/2 a block away, looked up and saw that bell tower against that building and BAM! A different vantage point made the difference. Something I hope I can remember. Sometimes getting farther away is something to try. Gives you a whole new perspective.

Jane Hards Photography said...

Perspective, Juxtaposition ... have I wandered onro a photography blog. Old of course but no bad building in photography just bad photographers. The advantage of a vantage point. You are truly getting the hang of this photography lark. Is this local stone? I notice the colour running throughout the images.

Maya said...

I like both! I just love looking up at buildings, both old and new. These shots really show the differences.

Linda said...

Your photo really brings out the same colours and horizontal bands in both buildings. Lovely. I prefer the old, but they actually complement each other.

Bob Crowe said...

Okay, I'm back. As others have mentioned, the striations in the color of the stone of the church make a nice contrast to the bands of the building, But the verticals in the church lift your eye upwards (intended, I'm sure) while the modern building just plops there. The church is more complex and more interesting. Nice balance in these.

Thérèse said...

Both require a lot of money! lol
There is beauty in the mix.

angela said...

I always prefer the old but placed side by side like that I must say the new has its virtues too...visually they do complement each other.

Sunshine said...

Without the new.. where would your photos be??? What point in "choosing"??

The old and the new are today's reality. Celebrate both.

We had a great trip last weekend to run the Birmingham Marathon and Half Marathon. Wonderful run among the old and new ... super volunteers all the way.

Thanks Birmingham!!!

Virginia said...

Sunshine ,
Come on back and run again. My daughter Kat ran the marathon as well. We hope you had a great stay in the Magic City. You are right, the volunteers are just so dedicated. Everyone is dedicated to Kids One and the fabulous Bell Center.
V

Marie-Noyale said...

You must ,deep down ,love both of them to create such good shots!!!
I really think that they benefit from each other, being close together.

Anonymous said...

Stunning conrtasts. I like the old- so much grace!

Lisa Marie said...

Oh Virg! Only you would have an eye for what we take for granted! Shockingly amazing shots - how telling of our wonderful city!